Dispenser for paper napkins, towels, and the like



J. O. HUNT DISPENSER FOR PAPER NARKINS TOWELSI AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001'.. lO, 1924 7 faz @4104 ,7

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J. O. HUNT DISPENSER FoR PAPER NAPKINS, TQwELs; AND THE LIKE Dec. 1

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Dec. 1 1925 1.563.991

J. o. HUNT i DISPENSER FR PAPER NAPKINS, TOWLS, AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 10, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheef 4 INVENTOR Cin Patented Dec. 1, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN O. HUNT, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO INDEPENDENT PAPER MILLS INC., OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

DISPENSER FOR PAPER NAPKIINS, TOWELS, AND THE LIKE.

Application filed October 10, 1924. Serial No. 742,737.

To all 1li/wm t may concer/n.'

Be it known that I, JOHN O. IIUNT, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, city and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Dispensers for Paper Nap-- kins, Towels, and the like, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to a dispenser for paper napkins, towels and like articles, and particularly to a type of Vdispenser especially adapted for commercial use in which 'the articles whether theyV be towels, napkins or similar devices are available to be withdrawn from the top or upper end of the dispenser one at a time. The invention furthermore relates to that type of dispensers for napkins, towels and like articles in which the articles in a superimposed pile are placed on a movable platformy which is automatically raised as the articles are withdrawn from the dispenser in order to maintain the uppermost article in a substantially uniform position in which it may be readily withdrawn by the person desiring to use the saine.

In carrying out my present invention I employ a motor device, together with means for connecting the same to the `platform for automatically raising the platform the co-nstruction being such that when the platform is lowered the motor is wound. The invention furthermore relates to devices against which the napkins or towels or similar articles at the upper end of the superimposed pile are brought to bear and which devices are actuated by the pressure exerted through the pile of articles by the platform in order to control the operation of the motor, the motor being released to raise the platform and lift the superimposed pile of articles thereon when the uppermost article is at a predetermined level and causing the motor to stop when the platform has been raised sufficiently far to bring the uppermost article in the predetermined pile thereof on the platform to a predetermined height, as will be hereinafter more particularly described.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a sectional plan-taken approximatey on the line 1 1, Fig. 2 and illustratii an yappaifatus made ,in accordance with present ip .ptioli,

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 show-V ing the parts as illustrated therein in a differentposition.

Referring to the drawing, it will be seen that in carrying out this invention the dispenser made in accordance therewith is housed within a suitable casing which may -be constructed to include a base 10 mounted on feet or supports 11 and having side walls 12 and a top member 13. The top member is preferablv apertured and provided with a transverse bar 14 dividing the aperture-d top into the openings 15 and 16 through which the napkins, towels or other articles to be dispensed are withdrawn. As illustrated the dispenser includes two separate and distinct mechanisms. This is for the purpose of utilizing two superimposed piles of napkins, towels or like articles in one and W the same apparatus and making it possible to dispense the articles from either pile independently of the other. It will be undern stood, however, that the apparatus may be so constructed as to include one, two or more piles of superimposed articleslwthout departing from the `nature of the invention.

Vithin the casing there is a skeleton framework comprising a bottom plate, a top plate and a plurality of uprights or posts connecting the same. The bottom plate is indicated at 17. The top plate preferably comprises oppositely disposed longitudinal rails 18 and 19 and transverse rails 2O and 21, together with an intermediate transverse rail 22. The posts connecting the bottom and top plates are arranged in sets. The posts in one set thereof are designated by the reference numerals 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28. lThe posts included in the other set thereof are designated the reference numerals 27, 28,

' 2.9 3,0, 31 and 53,2, it being noted that the csv."

#thereto in any suitable manner.

trally disposed posts 27 and 28 are utilized in both set-s of posts. These posts, as hereinbefore stated, extend between the bottom plate 17 and the top plate and are secured These posts also act as guide-members for the platform, as will be hereinafter more particularly described. lxtendinej upwardly from the base or bottoml plate 17 I also prefer to employ suitably spaced posts 38 and 34 and 35 and 36-which function as stop posts to limit `and determine the lowermost positions of the platforms, as will also be hereinafter more particularly described. As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing this skeleton framework is secured in position in the casingby lugs 37 and 39 extending laterally from the longitudinal rails 18 and 19 and connected respectively to the walls of the casing by screws 38 and 40 or otherwise.

I also employ suitable platforms upon which the napkins, towels or other articles are placed and are supported and automatically raised to position to be taken from the dispenser for use. In the apparatus as'herei-n shown and described, there are two such platforms and they are similarly construct# ed. vOne platform, for example, comprises an upper and a lower plate 41 and 42 respectively which are connected in a spaced rela` tionshia b7 soacer bolts 43 or otherwise.

l i l The other platform consists of an upper plate 44 anda lower plate 45 connected 1n a spaced relationship bythe spacer bolts 46 or otherwise. In suitable positions the edges of these platform plates are semi-circularly notched to receive portions of the uprights or guide posts therein. For example, one

edge of the plates-41 and 42 is notched to reposts 27 and 26. The edges of the plates 44' and of the otherplatform are similarly notched to engage portions of the guide posts 27, 28, l29, 30, 31 and 32. These platforms, as hereinbefore stated, are adapted to rece-ire and support piles of superimposed 'na-pleins, towels or other 'articles of like nature which are designated at 47 vand 48.

Each dispenser apparatus is provided with a motor which is preferably afspring motor of the clock mechanism type. These motors are identical in structure and therefore but oneof them will befdescribed in detail. Eachy of these motors as illustrated comprises a set of base plates 4 9, 50 suitably secured to the bottom plate 17 and provided with uprights 51 and 52 connected' together and spaced byv spacer bars 53 or otherwise. This motor fram-e is preferably completed by a top member .53. Suitably joui-.nailed in the lip-rights ,5 1 and .5 2 there is a shaft 54 fitted is normally maintained in contact with the teeth of the ratchet by a spring` 62 or otherwise. The motor mechanism also includes drums 63v and 64 mounted on the shaft 54 exteriorly of the springs. Also mounted on the shaft 54 is a gear wheel 65. This ,Q -ear wheel 65 drives a train of gears and pinions, the arbors of which are mounted in the uprights of the motor and which terminate in a brake wheel 66 mounted on an arbor 67 which is also journaled in the' said uprights. Associated with the brake wheel 66 there is a spring' brake band 68 forming a continuation of a plate 69 preferably secured to the top memberv andprovided with a depending` extension 70to be engaged, as here4 inafter described, in such a manner as to apply the brake band to the brake wheel to stop and also to release the motor.

Each motor is suitably connected to the platform associated therewith so as to automatically-raise the same when the motor is released and permitted to operate. The .rotor devices and their platforms are eonnected by suitable chains, cords or other flexible devices.v As illustrated one end oi a coid or chai-n is attached to and wound upon the drum 64. rThis cord or chain 71 passes under a pulley 72 mounted in a vbracket l73and also passes over a puuey 74 lwhich is mountedin a bracket 75 secured to thitransverse rail 2O and the opposite end of this cord or chain 71 is suita ly connected to the upper plate 41 of the left hand platform as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. Tn a similar manner one end of a cord oichain 76 `is connected to and wound upon the drum 63. Thisv cord lor chain 76 passes over a pulley 77 which is mounted in a bracket 78 depending from the transverse rail 22, and the opposite endl of the cord oi .chain 76 is connected to the upper plate 41 of Ithis platform as indicated at 7S) in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The other platform is similarly connected to the other motor 'device'. A cord or chain 8O has one end there-- ofsecuredto and passed around a drum 8l, Thiscord'or chain 8O also passes under a pulley 82 mounted in a bracket 83 and over a pulley 84 mounted'in a bracket S5 depending from the transverse rail 21 and this end of the cord or chain SO'is suitably connected to the upper plate 44 of the right hand platform'as shown in Fig'. 1 of the drawing. Also a cord or chain S6 at one end thereof is secured to and passed around a drum 87,

CII

while at its other end this oord or chain is passed over a pulley 88 mounted in a bracket 89 depending vtrom the central transverse rail 22 and at its extremity is suitably connected to the upper plate it ot this plattorin.

The dispenser' made in accordance with my present invention is particularlv adapted *for use with napkins or towels folded in a special manner in which each napkin or towel as folded preferably includes a plurality ot sections ot equal extent and an outer section which is not coextensive with the other sections and which outer section is also provided with a told whereby tu'o op-A positely disposed edges are provided, either one or both ol' which may be grasped by the user in taking and withdrawing a napkin or other article from the disoenser. rihe napkins are preferably folded so as to assume a rectangular contigui-ation and the outermost non-coextensive section isztolded to extend longitudinally ot the napkin. The napkins when placed in the dispenser in a superimposed pile assume positions in r-.vhich the centrally disposed non-coextensive section et the uppermost napkin lor other article is readily available for use. ilse in carrying out the invention l employ rocker bars placed in the apparatus so as to be normalty engaged by the oppositely disposed longitudinal edge portions ot the uppermost napkin in the superimposed pile and to be actuated by the pressure exerted by the pile ot napkins through the movement oft the platform to control the operation ot the motor in such a manner that when the outermost napkin reaches a predetermined position the rocker bars are moved to actuate the devices in such a manner as to stop the motor thereby also stopping the movement ol the platform and when suiiicient napkins 'or other articles have been withdrawn to cause the outermost napkin to then assume another position, the rocker bars being relieved ot the pressure exerted against them by the napkins permit the actuation oit the said devices to release the motor by causing the same to again move the platform and advance the napkins to such a position that the rocker bara again actuate the said devices to stop the motor.

lhe'roclmr bars are designated at 90, 91, J2 and The rocker bars 90 and 91 are part, oi' one o1 the independent dispensing devices ot the apparatus and the roc-ker bars 92 and 93 ot the other. rilhe rocker bar 9() is pivotally mounted at its ends as indicated in the drawing, being provided with similarly placed pins Si and 95 journaled in the longitudinal rails 18 and 19 for this purpose. .tit the ends thereoiE the rocker bar Q0 is also provided with guide pins .96 and 97 operan ing respectively in slots 98 and 99 provided `tor this purpose in the longitudinal rails ,1.8 and 1.9. "fic rocker bar 9 1 siniilarly mounted, being provided with pins 100 and 101 journaled in the longitudinal rails 18 and 19 and also being provided with guide pins 102 and 103 moving in slots 104.-, 105 provided tor this purpose in the longitudinal rails 18 and 19. rllhe rocker bar 92 at the ends thereof is provided with pins 106 and 10"? by woich this rocker bar is pivotally mounted in the longitudinal rails 18 and 1t). Also at the end ot this rocker bar there are guide pins 108 and 109 moving in slots 110 and 111 provided tor this purpose in the longitudinal rails 18 and 19. Likewise at the ends thereof the rocker bar 93 is provided with pins 112 and 113 journaled in the longitudinal rails 18 and 19 and also with guide pins 114 and 115 moving in slots 116 and 11'? provided :tor this purpose in the longitudinal rails 18 and 19. As clearly appears in Fig. 1 ot the drawing each ser f ott' these rocker bars is adapted alongv the inner or against the outer longitudinal portion ot the outer napkin or other article to be taken from the dispenser and furthermore that the position o1' the sets ot rocker bars is cependent upon the position ot the uppermost or outermost napkin or other article which in turn depends upon the position ot the pl attorm.

The rocker bars or'one ot the rocker bars oit each set is employed to actuate devices tor controlling lthe motor. As illustrated, the rocker bar 93 is provided with a linger orprojection 118 extending :troni the outer edge thereot' in a slightly oisct position. rlihis iinger 118 is adapted to engage the upper end 119 oi' a lever 120. 'lhe lover 121) is pivotally mounted in any suitable manner in the transverse rail il' its illustrated the transverse rail in a substantially `central posit-ion in the lower end tliereot has an inset` piece 191 secured therein. The lever 15.20 is pivotally mounted as indicated at 19.2 between thisinset` piece and the adjacent portion ot the transverse rail 21,tlie rail being recessed as indicated at 128 and the inset piece being recessed as indie ted at 121i to permit the leveil 12() to swing on its pivotal point. No also employ a. rocker bar 125. This rocker bar is suitably mounted at its upper and lower ends preferably in the bottom plate 17 at its lower end and in the transverse rail 21 at its upper end. The inner or lower end ot the lever 19.0 is connected to the rocker bar 125 by a link 126 or otherwise. At the lower portion o1 the rocker bar 125 the same is fitted with an arm 121- so placed and ot an extent suticient to bear against the projectioii 7() ot' the brake band G8 'for con trollingl the operation of the motor B which moves the plat-term in the right side ot the machine as viewed in Fig. 1. A similar construction is employed in the other dispensing rapparatus, that is adjacent edges thereot to bear` to say the one lin the left side of the machine as viewed in Fig. 1. In this side of the machine the linger extending from the rocker lever 90 is designated at 128. This contacts with the upper end of a lever 129 pivotally mounted in the transverse rail and this lever 129 is connected by a. link 130 with a rocker bar 131 mounted lat its lower end in the bottom plate 17 and at its upper end in the transverse rail 20. The rocker bar 131 is provided with an arm 132 which is so placed and of suoli an extent as to contact with the projection or extension i0 of the resilient brake band 68 of the motor A. which operate-s the platform of the left hand dispensii'ig device as viewed in Fig. 1.

Now, as will be apparent, when the platform, for example, in the right hand dispensing device as viewed in Fig. 1 has been raised suilicientlyk far to cause the napkins to assume the position shown in Fig. i", the rocker bar 93 will be swung upwardly or outwardly to the position illustrated in this ligure. 1n so doing, the lever 120 will be swung in a clockwise direction and through the link 126 will cause the rocker bar 125 to turn a partial revolution in the same direction. This will impart a like movement to the arm 127 thereby causing the same to hear against the extension of the brake band of the motor B to cause the brake band to bear against the brake wheel 66 with sufficient friction to stop the motor thereby also stopping the movement of the platform. Obviously also when the napkins or other articles have been withdrawn from the dis-,1-

penser to a suiiicient extent to permit the rocker lever to move in the opposite direction the linger or projection 118 will move out of contact with the lever 120 and through the resilient action of the extension of the brake band the parts will move in the directions opposite to that hereinbefore described, releasing the motor and permitting the same to operate to advance the platform until the napkins or other articles are aga-in brought into contact with the rocker bars with sui'iicient pressure to operate the parts as hereinbefore described and again stop the motor.

In order to prevent the rocker bars 90 to 98 inclusivefrom moving downwardlyT or inwardly so far when the superimposed napkins or other articlesl are placed in the dispenser as to make it necessary to replace or reset these rocker bars, 1 prefer to employ means, and preferably resilient means, for limiting the inward or downward movement of the said rocker bars. As illustrated in the drawing, these means may constitute sets of springs.' For example, as illustrated, springs 133 and 13aL are secured respectively tothe inner or under surfaces of the longitudinal rails 18 and 19 and the guide pin's'96 Aand 97 of the rocker bar 90 may bear against and press upon these springs when the rocker bar is depressed in placing the napkins or similar articles in the dispenser. The springsl 133 and 134e may be secured to the longitudinal rails 18 and 19 by screws as indicated, or otherwise. Similarly springs 135 and y13G are provided for the lever bar 91, the guide pins 102 and 103 of which may be brought to hear against these springs. The set of springs for the lever bar 92 are indicated at 137 and 138 and in like manner the guide pins 108 and 109 of this rocker bar may bear against these springs. The other set of springs or that for the rocker bar 93 are designated at 139 and 140 and in a similar manner the guide pins 114 and 115 of this rocker` bar may bear .against this set of springs. i Y

The invention as illustrated embodies a dispenser in which, as hereinbefore stated, there are two independent dispensing devices. Nevertheless, it will be understood i one cr any number of similarly constructed dispensing devices may be employed. Also, as herein shown and defied, the dispensing apparatus is so arranged and constructed that the napkins, towels or similar articles are placed in superimposedr piles and when the motors are released and permitted'to operate the platforms are raised to lift the napkins or other articles., but the apparatus may be otherwise constructed to place the platforms, for example, in a vertical position and to move them horizontally forcing the napkins or other articles to an opening in the side of the apparatus rather than in the top thereof. @liviously also, other details of construction may bev employed without departing from the nature and spirit of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. 1n a dispenser for paper napkins, towels and like articles, a platform, a motor for moi-*ing the platform for advancing a pile of napkins, towels and the like placed on the platform, and devices actuated by the advance of the pile of napkins, towels and the like, and extending between the .outermost article and the motor for controlling the operation of the motor, causing the motor to be operative to move the platform when the outerniost article thereon is in one position, and causing the motor to be inoperative when the outermost article has been advanced by the motor tov another position.

2. ln a dispenser for paper napkins, towels and like articles, a platform adapted to advance a pile of napkins, towels and the like placed thereon, a motor, means for connecting the motor to the platform whereby the motor moves the platform and advances the pile of napkins, towels and the like, and devices actuated by the advance of the pile of napkins, towels and the like, and extending between the .outermost [article and the ico motor for causing the motor to be operative to move the platform when the outermost article is in one position, and causing the motor to be inoperative when the outermost article has been advanced by the motor to another' position.

8. ln a dispenser for paper napkins, towels and like articles, a vertically movable platform adapted to support a pile of napkins, towels and the like placed thereon, a motor for raising the platform, and moving the pile of napkins, towels and the like, an-d devices actuated by the lifting of the napkins, towels and the like, and extending between the outermost article and the motor for controlling the operation of the motor,

lansing the motor to be operative to move the platform upwardlyT when the uppermost article is in a predetermined position, and causing the motor to be inoperative when the uppermost article has been lifted by the motor to another position.

Ll. ln a dispenser for paper napkins, towels and like articles, a platform adapted to support a pile of napkins, towels and the like placed thereon, a motor, means for connecting the platform to the motor whereby the motor moves the platform to raise the pile of napkins, towels and the like thereon, and devices actuated by raising the pile of napkins, towels and the like, and extending between the outermost article and the motor, causing the motor to be operative to move the platform when the outermost article is in one position, and causing the motor to be inoperative when the outermost article has been raised by the motor to another position.

:7. ln a dispenser for paper napkins, towels and like articles, a platform, a motor for moving the platform to advance a pile of napkins, towels and the like, rocker bars zulapted to bear along corresponding edges thereof against the oppositely disposed side pf rtions of the outermost article in the pile thereof, and devices operated by the said rocker bars for controlling the operation of the motor permitting the motor to be operative to move the platform and advance the pile of articles when the outermost articles are in a predetermined position and to cause the motor to be inoperative when the said outermost article is in another predetermined position.

(i. In a dispenserl for paper napkins, towels and like articles, a vertically movable platform, a motor, means for connecting the platform to the motor in such a manner that when operative the motor raises the platform to lift a pile of superimposed napkins, towels and the like placed thereon, rocker levers pivotally mounted and adapted vat corresponding edges to bear against the opposite edge portions of the uppermost article in the said superimposed pile thereof, and devices operated by the said rocker levers for controlling the said motor permitting the motor to operate to raise the said platform and lift the articles pla-ced thereon when the uppermost article is in a `predetermined po-` sition andy causing the motor to be inoperi tive w ien the platform has been raised sufih. riently far to bring the uppermost article into another predetermined position.

T. ln a dispenser for papernapkins,towels i and like articles, a vertically movable platform, a motor, means for connecting the platform to the motor whereby when operative the motor raises the platform to lift a pile of superimposed paper napkins, towels and like articles placed thereon, a pair of opposite-ilyl disposed lpivotally mounted rocker levers each adapted at one edge to bear against opposite edge portions of the uppermost article in the superimposed pile thereof, and devices operated by one of the said rocker levers for controlling the operation of the motor permitting the motor tol be operative to raise the platform and lift the pile of articles thereon when the uppermost article is in a predetermined position and causing the motor to be inoperative after the platform has been raised suficiently far to bring the uppermost article into another predetern'iined position.

tl. ln a dispenser for paper napkins, towels and lil-:e articles, a vertically movable platform, a motor, means for connecting the platform to the motor whereby when operative the motor raises the platform to lift a pile of superimposed paper napkins, towels and like articles placed thereon, a pair of ppositely disposed pivotally mounted rocker levers each adapted at one edge to bear against opposite edge portions of the uppermost article in the superimposed pile thereof, a rocker bar, means actuated by one of the said rocker levers for swinging the rocker bar, and devices actuated by the rocker bar for controlling the motor permitting the motor to be operative when the uppermost article in the superimposed pile is in a position permitting the rocker lever to descend a sufficient extent to free the means for operating tlie rocker bar and causing the motor to be inoperative after the platform has been raised sufficiently far to cause the superimposed pile of articles thereon to raise the rocker lever suliiciently far to actuate the means for moving the said rocker bar.

9. ln a dispenser for paper napkins, towels and like articles, al vertically movable platform, a motor, means for connecting the platform to the motor whereby when operative the motor raises the platform to lift a pile of superimposed paper napkins, towels and like articles placed thereon, a pair of oppositely disposed pivotally mounted rocker levers each adapted at one edge to bear against opposite edge portions of the uppermost article in the superimposed pile lill) thereof, a rocker bar, a lever operate'dby one of the rocker levers, a lmkconnecting the said lever with the rocker bar, and means operated by the rocker bar for controlling the operation of the motor whereby-When the position of the uppermost article in the superimposed pile thereof permits the said rocker lever to fall suiioientlyfar to cause the finger carried thereby to disengage the said lever, the motor is operative and raises the platform until the superimposed pile of articles thereon raises the said rocker lever to position in which the linger thereof actuates the said lever and through the said link operates the rocker bar .to make the motor inoperative and thereby stop the platform.

l0. In a. dispenser for paper napkins7 towels and like articles,y a vertically movable platform, a: motor, a brake associated with the motor, devioe's for connecting the platform to the motor so tliat when operative the motor raises the platform to lift a pile of superimposed paper napkins, towels and the. like placed thereon7 a lpair of pivotally mounted rocker levers adapted at corresponding edges to bear against the opp'ositely disposed edge portions of the outermost article in the sup'erimpost-xd pile thereof, a linger-'carried by 'one of the said rocker levers, 'ai lever adapted to be engaged by the said finger, a rocker bar, a link connecting the said lever With the rockerbar, and an arm carried by the rocker bar and adapted to engage with the brake of the said motor whereby when the said rocker lever is permitted to descend to the position in which the finger 'carried thereby frees the said lever the rooker bar and the arm carried thereby'efl'ect the'release oty themotor brake permitting the motor to become operative to raise the said platform until the 'superimposed pile 'of articles thereon raises the said rocker level'l to: a position' in which' the finger carried thereby actuates the said lever causing thesaidflink to swing the Said rocker bar to'y 'move the arm carried thereby into Contact with the motor brake' to'set the same and to thereby cause the motor to become inoperative.

Signed by ine this 6th day of October,

JOHN O. HUNT. 

